Botulism from adulterated pesto sauce is suspected in the illness of five people who are all currently receiving medical treatment. Botulism is a potentially fatal illness caused by a potent toxin that attacks the nervous system.
The incident occurred in west-central France, where authorities believe a locally produced sauce may have been contaminated with the pathogen.
Botulism can occur when the bacterium Clostridium botulinum grows and produces toxins. Symptoms of botulism can include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing problems, muscle weakness, abdominal distension, and constipation. These symptoms may appear anywhere from six hours to two weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Failure to treat botulism can result in death. Public awareness and medical advancements have greatly increased the likelihood of surviving botulism food poisoning. In the past fifty years, over half of all botulism cases proved fatal, though that figure recently dropped to 3-5 percent.
In response to the incident, French authorities have recalled the suspected sauce and sent samples for testing. Officials are working to locate approximately 600 containers of the “O P’tits Oignons” sauce, typically sold at local festivals, before they are consumed.
The five affected patients are currently on respirators but remain conscious. Health officials are urging anyone who has purchased the sauce to dispose of it immediately and not consume it under any circumstances.
In related news, a resident of Camden County, New Jersey is confirmed by the local health department to have tested positive for botulism. No details on the current condition of the affected person or how they were infected is currently available.
Although botulism is rare, this year has seen a number of cases domestically and abroad. In June, a contaminated cactus salad at a family gathering led to the hospitalization of two sisters in California while Snapchill issued a voluntary recall of all canned coffee products because of a potential risk of botulism. Also in June, a botulism outbreak tied to ready-to-eat salads from a popular delivery platform ultimately resulted in more than 300 hospitalizations and one death.
Commenting on this article, one national botulism lawyer said, “These unrelated incidents are a reminder of how important it is to follow safe food practices, especially when dealing with homemade or locally produced preserved foods. Proper food handling, storage, and preparation techniques are essential in preventing such potentially life-threatening foodborne illnesses like botulism.”
